The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court has postponed the plea and sentence agreement proceedings involving alleged UK fugitive Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma to October 21.
The postponement was granted on Wednesday after prosecutors informed the court that the agreement had not yet been completed.
Tshuma, 45, has admitted to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, as well as violating the Immigration Act by entering South Africa while allegedly wanted by authorities in the United Kingdom.
The British citizen of Zimbabwean descent, who is also known as Mark, is wanted by Bedfordshire Police over the alleged murders of his wife, Zandile, 42, and their two daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, five.
According to the allegations, Tshuma left the UK on July 4 before travelling to South Africa.
Police arrested him in Kensington, Johannesburg, on July 10, where he was allegedly found carrying an unlicensed 9mm pistol.
He remains subject to extradition proceedings initiated after the UK authorities requested his return to face charges relating to the deaths of the three family members.
The plea and sentence agreement process had previously been put on hold after the court questioned the validity of the state’s authorisation to enter into the agreement.
The court found that the authorisation document had been signed by former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi in 2019.
As Batohi no longer holds the position, the court ruled that the old authorisation could not be used to support the current proceedings.
Prosecutors were consequently instructed to secure fresh authorisation from a senior state advocate or an official of a higher rank.
The new authorisation must be dated in 2026 and comply with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Tshuma is expected back in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on October 21 for the matter to be finalised.
